“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas” – Dale Evans

Full disclosure, I’ve written and rewritten this intro at least twelve times. And each version became cheesier than the previous draft. So away each draft went into the that great either of writings that were never meant to be.

But then I realized – this is the time of year to embrace all the cheese (both literally and figuratively). So, if you’ll indulge me, today I am embracing all the cheesiness and cliches of the season. So join me as I share some of my favorite gifts that give by pouring yourself a glass of eggnog or mulled wine, snuggle under a blanket (or three if you’re like me), and grab some crackers to go with all the cheese.

I love giving giving gifts to people. Not just this time of year, but any time of the year. By nature, I’m an over-thinker, so naturally this applies to picking out gifts as well. I love finding something unique and personal, something that says they are heard and they are loved.

So this year, I have put together a list of some of my favorite gifts that give back.

Neon is fun and whimsical line by Paul Mitchell that focuses on raising awareness and challenging people to #StickItToBullying. As someone who was bullied in grade school, this mission is close to my heart. Added bonus – mornings are definitely more fun (and a bit easier) with these bright colors and emojis!

By now, most of us are familiar with box services. The CauseBox is my hands down favorite for so many reasons. Not only is it a great deal ($150 worth of products in each box), everything inside gives back. The CauseBox team curates unique items, often exclusive to subscribers, and every box comes with a Good News magazine, sharing the positive impact behind each product.

This sweatshirt by Citizen + Darling has quickly become my favorite go to. I love it because you can dress it up or down, depending on your mood. Pair it with tulle skirt and heels and it’s a cute look for brunch with friends. Or, dress it down with jeans and your favorite pair of Toms for a more casual look. For every design sold by Citizen + Darling, 10% is donated to a non-profit working to end human trafficking and support the survivors.

For those on your list who are always on the go, this insulated stainless steel water bottle by Cheeky makes a great gift. I seriously never go anywhere without it – and I LOVE the handle design that makes it super easy to carry. You can help stylishly quench thirst while also fighting hunger as Cheeky donates a meal to Feeding America for every water bottle sold.

A clutch from Scenery Bags makes a great gift for any fashion trendsetter or theatre lover on your list. Made from  retried theatre scenery drops, each bag is a limited edition and made in the United States.  Gifting  a Scenery Bag not only gives new life to the original story, it brings new stories to a new audience, as proceeds from each purchase support TFD’s Stage Doors program, providing at risk youth the opportunity to see a Broadway play.

For anyone on your list currently raising a future world changer, A Little Radical is a great gift they can enjoy together. Written by Invisible Children co-founder Jason Russell and his wife, Danica Russell, the two took their ten plus years of experience in the humanitarian space and created a colorful children’s book to ignite and inspire the next generation of leaders.

I hope you enjoyed all the cheese and have a few new ideas for gifts that give. I would love to hear what love and who are you are giving it to. It’s always so fun to hear from you guys!

Alright, that’s the last of the cheese. At least for now.